Sens goalie Craig Anderson isn't complaining about his workload

You won’t find the Ottawa Senators’ veteran goaltender complaining one bit, and, if he makes his 22nd appearance of the season in net against the New York Rangers on Monday night, then Anderson will be ready to try to help his club get two points. That’s the job description.

While some might believe he’s overworked, Anderson is paid to be a No. 1 goalie for his National Hockey League club, so he’ll go out to do his job. A lot is being made of amount he’s playing, but the Senators (9-11-3) have done a good job of trying to ensure the 37-year-old gets enough rest to accommodate this kind of schedule.

On several occasions, Anderson hasn’t even been on the ice for practice on days between games, and sometimes the Senators bring in another netminder for duty if they don’t want him to participate in the morning skate on game day.

Senators goaltender Craig Anderson has appeared in 21 games already this season.David Zalubowski /
AP

“As a starting goaltender, if you’re satisfied with not playing, then you’re no longer in the league,” Anderson told this newspaper before his 48-save performance in Friday’s 6-4 loss to the Dallas Stars. “Right now, if I want to push and strive to be the starter, I need to push and strive to earn that ice time, too.

“It’s one of those things where I’ve probably gotten a little bit too hard on myself at times. I want to do this better, I want to do that better, and you can almost psyche yourself out from just going out there and playing. That’s just me trying to earn the ice time and prove to myself I’ve earned the starts I’m getting.”

Struggling backup netminder Mike Condon cleared NHL waivers on Oct. 31 and was sent to Belleville of the American Hockey League. After taking a few days off to nurse a minor injury, Condon has made only one appearance since then, giving up six goals in a 7-6 win against the Toronto Marlies on Nov. 9.

Condon’s status is unknown, but at last check he was listed as day-to-day. That, plus having longtime AHL veteran Mike McKenna dress as the backup in Ottawa, means the Senators have to rely on Anderson to give themselves the best chance to win most nights.

At this juncture, Anderson is the best of few options for the Senators. Perhaps too much is being made of the amount he’s playing, and it’s not like he hasn’t done this previously.

Senators netminder Craig Anderson eyes the puck behind the traffic created by defenceman Dylan DeMelo, right, and Stars forward Radek Faksa during the first period of Friday’s game in Dallas.Brandon Wade /
AP

“It’s almost like a playoff schedule, so we’re just kind of managing that,” Anderson said. “As far as just being physically ready, I don’t think that’s been any of the issues in the last couple of games. The last 10 to 15 games, I’ve been fresh and I’ve been ready to go for the most part.”

After struggling last season, Anderson came into in this campaign refreshed and determined to get back on track. He wasn’t sure how much he’d play, but he wanted to show he could get the job done and earn his ice time.

“When you look at it over the summer and you start breaking it down, you think maybe 45-to-50 games. Condon is eight years younger and it’s one of those things where you start thinking about a passing on the torch kind of thing,” Anderson said.

“It hasn’t worked out that way and I’ve been put in a situation where I do have to play, but I love playing and I love being the guy. I want to be the guy in there every night to battle for my teammates and give them a chance to win. The way the schedule has worked out, there’s been lots of time to recharge and get my focus for the next one.”

Anderson has been good throughout his career at turning the page and moving on to the next one. That approach will never change, so sometimes he’s not going to take goalie coach Pierre Groulx up on the offer to take the morning skate off.

“I like skating every day,” Anderson said. “Being out there for an extended period of time can be waring and you lose some of that fun. The 15-minute morning skates are fun to go out and feel the puck and mess around.

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